Newcastle vs Norwich

On Saturday, some sweet people from church invited us to go watch the Newcastle vs. Norwich match in Newcastle. This wasn't just an ordinary football game though…thanks to the company that our friend works for. We not only got to sit in the posh VIP section of the stadium with it's soft chairs and carpeted floors, but we got to have a 4 course meal beforehand (you know, the kind where you have like 4 forks, and the butter is shaped like flowers), as well as listen to a player from Newcastle speak to us. There was even a dress code! Daniel and I were like giddy little kids, we kept saying to each other, "is this real life? How cool is this!" I didn't even bring my camera, because I just wanted to enjoy the evening, and of course had to play it cool you know? The game was wild, the stands packed with Geordies who literally worship this Newcastle team, and we watched some of the best soccer we have ever seen. During halftime we got to go back inside, where hot chocolate and fancy cheese and crackers were waiting for us at our table. And after the game we went back in to have more food and drinks and listen to another player speak. 

This was not a bad way to see our first premiere football match! It was fun to be treated a little like royalty for a day. We felt so blessed that these friends chose us, two americans, out of all the people they could of chosen.  It's going to be hard to go back to watching a football match any other way! 

USA vs Scotland

As soon as we found out the US was playing Scotland in Glasgow, we knew we had to go. It would of been a sin not to, since we only live 2 hours away! I was a little bit nervous about wearing US colors in Glasgow..it's a pretty rough city and they LOVE their football, so I didn't quite know what to expect. We stood in line for what seemed like forever...got our tickets for the American side, and sprinted to our gate, since the game had already started 5 minutes before. What we saw when we got to our seats, brought tears to my eyes. Red, white, and blue EVERYWHERE. Guys with their shirts off with USA painted on their stomachs, little kids all bundled up with USA scarves and hats, and an awesome biker guy with a cut off bald eagle shirt and American flag do-rag. What a sight for sore eyes I'll tell you! As soon as we started chanting "USA, USA" more tears came to my eyes. I felt at home again! We were able to yell and cheer as loud as we wanted without having to worry about people hearing our American accents...and oh how nice it was to hear the American accent again! We struck up conversations with random strangers, asking them where they were from-Michigan, Minnesota, Texas..and more. Not to mention, we were in awe that we were actually watching the US soccer team play! Beasley, Jozy, Tim Howard, Eddie Johnson, Brek Shea-they were amazing! And Jozy Altidore is massive in person! I knew DaMarcus Beasly was a crazy hard worker, but WOW he is so good, and Brek Shea comes off the bench and fires up the team! I could go on and on, Daniel even more so. Daniel was like a little kid on Christmas day, and had a sparkle in his eye the whole night! Aside from the amazing football we witnessed, I realized something. All of these US fans sitting around us at the game, were all in the same situation as we are...they all miss their home land just as much as we do! There were students, military families stationed there, and people who just had to relocate for their job. It made me feel warm inside, and comforted! Don't get me wrong, I love our little England home to death, but I miss our home country sometimes, as anyone would. It just felt good to relate to people, and know that we are not alone in living abroad. 

I'm SO glad we went to this game in Glasgow...and not just for the amazing soccer.

Life via Iphone

1. This candle was by far the best purchase we have made since living here in England. Also our first purchase that wasn't a complete "necessity." It smells like spiced apple cider, and brings back so many memories of fall/winter in Idaho with family. But best of all, it takes away the musty smell that has built up in our flat from mold. Yes, mold. I guess it's just a thing here in England?? Everyone has it apparently. I hate it. But thanks to this life saving candle, we can't smell it at least!

2. Right before our little road trip to Scotland. (it's been a while since I have uploaded pictures from our phone)

3. Liverpool FC stadium. It was a sold out game, so we couldn't get in, but we could dream right?

4. Belle's fish n chips, aka: Heaven in a Box.

5. Funny story about this one. We were trying to find this Brazilian restaurant while in Liverpool, and had typed in the address into our gps, and it took us through this super long tunnel that was a few miles long! We didn't think anything of it, when all of a sudden Daniel says, "uhhh babe, look," and points to the gps, which was completely blue-showing us that we were crossing a large body of water. After a brief panic attack thinking we were on our way across the sea to Ireland, the tunnel ended, and we realized it was just a small bay we had crossed. Too bad, Ireland would have been fun.

6. Bolton FC stadium, our first ever pro football match in England. It was wild.

7. We were driving somewhere, and I must of thought it looked pretty?

8. A little too full from our Brazilian feast.

9. A pretty fall day out our window.

Football

I sacrificed my poor fingers to take these pictures. It was SO COLD. And I hate taking pictures/video of sporting events, because it makes it so hard to actually watch the game. But I knew I had to take some for our families back in the states.

So proud of Daniel and all his hard work this season!

The Streets of Durham

A long walk to city centre today with Daniel was the perfect way to start out the month of november. Since it's the month of thanks, today I am thankful for this beautiful place we live in. Aaaand for delicious fish and chips smothered in salt and vinegar (we are turning into Brits!).

We found the cutest little milkshake bar while walking around downtown and learned that when you order a milkshake here in England, it is not ice cream, it's just flavored milk... no ice cream added. Make sense though right? You live and you learn.